San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-06-30
A CITY HALL NOTE.

The location of new city hall is still
engaging the attention OF the public.
The decision is to be made at the next
meeting of the council and in the mean
time speculation is rife as to what the
council will do. Matters have changed
somewhat since this question WAS first
NJ. A. Maverick turned public attention
towards the Travis Park location, and
the more that site is considered the more
favOrabiy it is regarded. The selection
of Military plaza does not seem TO suit
those who contend that that plaza
should be kept lnviOlate as a public
huckster and market ground. Then, its
long devotion to that use has given to
the market gardeners and country peO-
pie an idea that it of right is for their
use and accommodation and should not
be diverted to other purposes, and this
appears TO be the very. general senti-
ment of our own citizens. Main plaza is
also objected to by many on the ground
that being the only public property
capable of being turned into park in
that very central section Of the city it
should be so improved and made real
garden spot, with shade trees and flower
plats, and walks and seats, and cool
ing fountain sending its perpetual spray
into the air and refreshing the atmOs-
phere during the heats of the day. This
view OF the case the LIGHT has frequent
ly taken heretofore, and advocated as
occasion offered Now. that Mrs. NJ. A.
Maverick has proposed to donate the
property recently offered by her at a
LIGHT is Of opinion that both these Ideas
main plaza improvement and city hall)
can be made tangible. The $4,000 at
which Travis park site was lately Of
fered will go long ways towards put
ting Main plaza in order. A competent
landscape gardener and flOriculturist of
this city informs the LIGHT that for the
sum Of So, 500 that plaza can be made a
delightful spot; and, if not budding all
over as a rose, be provided with beauti-
full shrubbery, growing shade, fine flow
ers and fountain. All this can be done
and still leave generous width of street
sufficient for all business purposes. 1t is
not at all unlikely that, should this mat
ter take form, very material assistance
would be given by business men located
on the plaza, and that the cost direct to
the city treasury would be very little.
AS TO indirect cost, while nothing defin-
lite can be said, the LIGHT lie quite firmly
OF opinion that, should proper effort
be made to put that plaza in real park
like condition, the water-wOrks COM
pany would not be one whit behind the
rest In aiding that good work, and could
be induced to make a free gift to
the city OF the water necessary to
keep that Main plaza fountain" spout
ing its cooling columns in the sir.
Then, let the city fathers accept MR..
Mavericks offer OF free cite for the
new city hall at Travis Park corner,
and erect such building as will be a
credit to the city architecturslly, and a
convenience TO those who have the con-
duct Of the city business; no more cry
will be heard OF the need of a city hall,
and Its juxtapostion to the new post
office, federal courts and customs will
be found constant argument in it's
favor. To this might very truthfully
be added the statement that the Travis
park location is nearer the center Of pop
ulation than any other yet proposed; is
in close proximity to the street railway
lines, and so excessible from all parts of
the city; is on direct line OF cOmmuni-
cation between the Sunset and l. & G.
N. depots, and but one block from the
line running directly to the Arkansas
Pass road; has abundance OF room, and
no end Of free air; and, the site will not
cost the city one cent and still leave
the plszas to be beautified and occupied